Who Is At Risk for Pulmonary Embolism?
Populations Affected
Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs equally in men and
women. Risk increases with age: For each 10 years after age 60, the risk of PE
doubles.
Certain inherited conditions, such as factor V
Leiden, increase the risk of blood clotting, and, therefore, the risk of PE.
Major Risk Factors
People at high risk for a blood clot that travels to
the lungs are those who:
Other Risk Factors
People who recently have been treated for cancer or
who have a central venous catheter (a tube placed in a vein to allow easy
access to the bloodstream for medical treatment) are more likely to develop
DVT. The same is true for people who have been bedridden or have had surgery or
suffered a broken bone in the past few weeks.
Other risk factors for DVT, which can lead to PE,
include sitting for long periods of time (such as on long car or airplane
rides), pregnancy and the 6-week period after pregnancy, and being
overweight
or obese. Women who take hormone therapy or birth control pills also are at
increased risk for DVT.
People with more than one risk factor are at higher
risk for blood clots. |